New York Red Bulls coach Mike Petke has heaped praise on new signing Juninho Pernumbucano following his side's 3-1 loss to the New England Revolution on Saturday.
------------------------------------------------------------
Predict result and win big with Soccer6
------------------------------------------------------------
Juninho played 45 minutes in one of the Major League Soccer's pre-season tournaments, the Desert Diamond Cup hosted in Arizona, and scored a cracking goal in the 11th minute of the match.
"In the first half, Juninho was a pleasure to watch," Petke told Major League Soccer's official website.
"Forget about what he does with the ball. It's his awareness defensively, his movements defensively, to close down space, to be the first to the ball.
"Getting a hold of the ball, his vision linking up with Thierry [Henry], [Fabián] Espíndola and [Tim] Cahill. It was nice to watch."
Juninho, widely recognised as one of the best dead-ball specialists in the history of the game, nearly scored his second in the closing stages of the first-half but his trademark free-kick drifted just wide.
"It was a little taste for people to watch," Petke said.
Red Bulls keeper Luis Robles believes the Brazilian will add a wealth of leadership and talent to a Red Bulls team looking to win the MLS Cup this season.
"He's an elite player," Robles said.
"The leadership and experience he brings to the field you could see in the first half. He dictates the play, he brings that type of steadiness that elite players bring. I think he's going to be great for us in the future."
Post A Comment!
Be the first to post a comment on this story